Austin, J-choc's view, day two. Here goes!!!

Day two was Bich’s day.
This day was really cool since it was pretty much girl-mode.
First, we went to eat at this really amazing and unique little place called Quack’s. The music was so chill, I probably was only halfway mentally there part of the time. (can’t help loving the music I guess) The rest was great. We got huge cupcakes and cream cheese beauties. Luckily, we all shared. =) they had a lot of drinks, teas, juices and such that I think we all really wanted to try if we had the time. The place was situated in this residential kind of area. A lot of trees, a lot of plants, a lot bikes. It was gorgeous. We got to see a lot of said things because we had to search for it, making a few u-turns along the way. Teehee. But it was totally worthwhile because the scenery around there was great and the company made me chuckle. There was this kennel-looking place right by it. Kristen got excited thinking about her sweet Eliza at home. (very nice looking dog too!) I was kinda bummed because I had a black lab once and she was my favorite dog that I’ve ever had (and I’ve strangely had a lot). Sigh* I miss her now…

So after chilling in Quack’s, watching a bird attack this dude’s cupcake, and taking pictures while finding the bathrooms, we left for THE OUTLET MALL: dream for women, nightmare for men.

It was huge to say the least. We started by walking along the shaded sidewalk lining the stores. I argued about the merits of Express with Brian, adamantly opposed Bich’s buying me short-shorts, and saw a s’mores maker. We went into all the right stores but soon split up to cover more territory. We were soon back again and taking pictures of Anh riding a little kiddy ride. That was funny. We all explored once again, finding stores with nothing good or instead physically shrinking in reaction to stores with huge price tags (sheesh, outlet or what?). We had to pause, move cars and rehydrate before round two of shopping. Clusters of people changed and reformed and shopping got serious. By the time we all met back in A’gaci. (went crazy in there but didn’t buy anything), we were all holding bags from Guess, and Papaya to United Colors of Benetton. We split up yet again and I was indecisive on getting a wallet or not. (I did end up getting it by the way) Quan was pretty tired afterwards. Funny thing he said was that, he’s been through ROTC, camping, endurance training and the like, and he has never been as tired as when he went shopping. Haha =)

After we got back to the hotel, we had a lot of more to do. Before I go on, I must say that that night was pretty much hilarious. We went to a bbq place with every mouth-watering, meat-loving, barbequing selection of food you can think of. It was mighty fine. Everyone ate, Quan ate his food and selections of everyone else’s. It was great. I like how we eat. We’re like a family who picks off each other’s plates and doesn’t care about everyone else’s table manners. This place was cool because on the wall behind us were some cool pictures from past blues performers. I would’ve loved to hear ‘em. There was a cow skull on the wall which didn’t exactly ring well with Kristen, although I tried really hard to convince her of its coolness. Cheryl and Sam made me laugh with their pleas to momma and daddy: Bich and Peter. It was good. Oh, and I learned that parallel parking is something I probably don’t want to do.

After that we went to Amy’s Ice Cream. Cheryl got what was called a Dirty Harry. It looked pretty good. Quan and Brian played checkers on a board while Kristen and Bich watched intently. Me, Anh and Sam looked at clips of their car ride and the hilarity that ensued inside. Then, Cheryl took pictures of Peter who, of course, was disinclined to acquiesce. Hehe Soon the place started filling with pre-pubescent little people, and me and Sam got nervous. When we finally left, things got crazy. Why, you ask? Because we were gonna go clubbing on sixth street!!

We finally get there. All of us were looking pretty fly—both guys and girls. Some were wearing what they had bought that day so they were fresh. We get there—and everyone’s wearing jeans. That’s okay. We still looked pretty pimpin so no complaints here. =) We walk up and down the streets, bump into drunk people, get offered pamphlets and invitations to parties—we even get (how can I say?) solicited for some PCP. Ha well, everything there was pretty much 21 and up, so boo on being young—for a few of us. Ah well. Next time will be better.

Instead we go to (drum roll please) IHOP, classic stop for all late night people. By now it’s about 2 am and we hang out at the IHOP eating crepes and drinking sodas and hot chocolate. We do what we do best: chat amongst ourselves, further strengthening the family vibe we’ve got. With a little help from my friends, I dressed up the coffee pot in napkin wear: complete with apron, shirt and hat (as Cheryl records). It was a nice slow down after a busy day. We all get back to hotel and energy is back up. We made a make-shift tent of sorts, recorded on night vision, and Bich told 5-second scary stories while we laughed and screamed like little girlies. Needless to say, it was classic fun and worth staying up til 4:30/5ish. =)